Born: March 29, 1930

Died: May 22, 1949

Buried: Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California

Age: 19

Full Name: Robert Neil Fadave

Nickname:

Location: El Mirage Dry Lake, California

Event:

Accident Date: May 22, 1949

Vehicle:

Biographical: After finishing a run, Rulon McGregor was returning to the starting area. He crashed into the side of a race car driven by Fadave. Fadave had made three runs already, but was not on the race course. He had picked up Jackson Pendleton and John Cuthbert and was driving around. Both cars were traveling between 60 and 90 MPH at the time of the collision. McGregor and Pendleton were killed instantly and Fadave died while being transported in an ambulance to San Bernardino County Hospital. Cuthbert had serious injuries, but survived the crash. All the men were from Los Angeles.

Sources

"Crash of hot-rod racers kills three, injures one," Los Angeles Times, May 23, 1949

"'Hot rod' crash kills 3," Long Beach Independent, May 23, 1949

California Death Index (Robert Neil Fadave, born March 29, 1930, in Calif., died May 22, 1949, San Bernardino, mother's maiden name was Parker)

California Birth Index (Robert Neil Fadave, born March 29, 1930, in San Francisco County)

1930 U.S. Census (Robert N. Fadave, age 2 mo., son of Efim Fadave)

Photos

Born: July 9, 1919

Died: December 4, 1949

Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California

Age: 30

Full Name: Floyd Kenneth Fancher

Nickname:

Location: Rosamond Dry Lake, California

Event: MG club time trials

Accident Date: December 4, 1949

Vehicle: MG

Biographical: During time trials sponsored by an MG-enthusiasts club, he was killed when his car overturned. The accident was witnessed by more than 300 club members and friends. He was given emergency treatment by a doctor, but was pronounced dead on arrival at Lancaster Community Hospital. He lived in Glendale, California, at 1227 S. Central Avenue.

Sources

"Car overturns; kills driver in dry lakes run," Los Angeles Times, December 5, 1949

California Death Index (Floyd Kenneth Fancher, born July 9, 1919 in Illinois, died December 4, 1949, in Los Angeles, mother's maiden name was Browning)

Born: March 23, 1929

Died: May 2, 1948

Buried:

Age: 19

Full Name: Thomas Seabrook Glover, Jr.

Nickname:

Location: El Mirage Dry Lake, California

Event:

Accident Date: May 2, 1948

Vehicle: Ford Model A

Biographical: He broke his neck when his car overturned while traveling at about 100 MPH. The car skidded about 160 feet. It was the second fatal accident at El Mirage in two weeks, however the other accident, which killed two young men, occurred during an unofficial race off the timing course. Glover, a high school student, was from Bell, California.

Sources

"Hot-rod racing results in death," Nevada State Journal, May 9, 1948

"Bell youth killed as car overturns," Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1948

California Death Index (Thomas Seabrook Glover, born March 23, 1929, in Calif., died May 2, 1948 in San Bernardino Co., mother's maiden name was Peck)

California Birth Index (Thomas Seabrook Glover, born March 23, 1929 in Fresno Co., mother's maiden name was Peck)

Photos

Born: October 13, 1927

Died: May 22, 1949

Buried: Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California

Age: 21

Full Name: Rulon Oral McGregor

Nickname:

Location: El Mirage Dry Lake, California

Event:

Accident Date: May 22, 1949

Vehicle:

Biographical: After finishing a run, McGregor was returning to the starting area. He crashed into the side of a race car driven by Robert Fadave. Fadave had made three runs already, but was not on the race course. He had picked up Jackson Pendleton and John Cuthbert and was driving around. Both cars were traveling between 60 and 90 MPH at the time of the collision. McGregor and Pendleton were killed instantly and Fadave died while being transported in an ambulance to San Bernardino County Hospital. Cuthbert had serious injuries, but survived the crash. All the men were from Los Angeles.

Sources

"Crash of hot-rod racers kills three, injures one," Los Angeles Times, May 23, 1949

"'Hot rod' crash kills 3," Long Beach Independent, May 23, 1949

California Death Index (Rulon Oral McGregor, born October 13, 1927, in Calif., died May 22, 1949, in San Bernardino, mother's maiden name was Whitby)

California Birth Index (Rulon Oral McGregor, born October 13, 1927, in LA County, mother's maiden name was Whitby)

1930 U.S. Census (Rulon O. McGregor, age 2, son of Oral T. and Helen W. McGregor, in Los Angeles, CA)

Photos

John C. Fremont High School 1945 Yearbook

Born: December 28, 1931

Died: May 22, 1949

Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California

Age: 17

Full Name: Jackson Reed Pendleton

Nickname:

Location: El Mirage Dry Lake, California

Event:

Accident Date: May 22, 1949

Vehicle:

Biographical: After finishing a run, Rulon McGregor was returning to the starting area. He crashed into the side of a race car driven by Robert Fadave. Fadave had made three runs already, but was not on the race course. He had picked up Pendleton and John Cuthbert and was driving around. Both cars were traveling between 60 and 90 MPH at the time of the collision. McGregor and Pendleton were killed instantly and Fadave died while being transported in an ambulance to San Bernardino County Hospital. Cuthbert had serious injuries, but survived the crash. All the men were from Los Angeles. Pendleton was survived by his parents, Dr. Waldo C. and Clare Louise Pendleton, and his sister, Suzanne.

Sources

"Crash of hot-rod racers kills three, injures one," Los Angeles Times, May 23, 1949

"'Hot rod' crash kills 3," Long Beach Independent, May 23, 1949

"Victim of hot rod formerly of S. L.," Salt Lake Telegram, May 23, 1949

California Death Index (Jackson Reed Pendleton, born December 28, 1931, in Calif., died May 22, 1949, in San Bernardino Co., mother's maiden name was Reed)

California Birth Index (Jackson Reed Pendleton, born December 28, 1931 in LA Co., mother's maiden name was Reed)

Photos

Born: February 16, 1920

Died: May 18, 1947

Buried:

Age: 27

Full Name: Nicholas Ray Schlegel

Nickname:

Location: El Mirage Dry Lake, California

Event:

Accident Date: May 18, 1947

Vehicle: roadster

Biographical: He was killed when his roadster went out of control and overturned. He was from Glendale, California.

Sources

"Glendale lad dies in 'hot rod' crash," Los Angeles Times, May 19, 1947 [lived at 2110 Lilac Lane]

"Driver killed in speed test," San Bernardino County Sun, May 19, 1947

California Death Index (Nicholas Ray Schlegel, born February 16, 1920, in other country, died May 18, 1947, in San Bernardino Co., mother's maiden name was Atchley)

California Birth Index (Nicholas R. Schlegel, born February 16, 1920, in LA Co., mother's maiden name was Atchley)

California Voter Registration 1946 (Nicholas R. Schlegel, 1017 W. 42nd Place, L.A. City)

1930 U.S. Census (Nicholas Ray Schlegel, son of Nicholas R. and Allie H., age 10, in Los Angeles, CA)

Photos

Born: May 25, 1925

Died: October 16, 1949

Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California

Age: 24

Full Name: Wilbert Richard Werder

Nickname:

Location: El Mirage Dry Lake, California

Event: Rusetta Timing Association event

Accident Date: October 16, 1949

Vehicle: coupe

Biographical: He was on the second mile of the five-mile timing course when he apparently struck a rough spot which caused him to lose control. He was instantly killed when his car overturned while racing at a speed of 100 MPH. Two hundred spectators witnessed the fatal crash. He was from Los Angeles.

Sources

"Hot-rod racer dies in 100 M.P.H. crash at desert course," Los Angeles Times, October 17, 1949 [he lived at 3622 Crestmont Ave., LA, Calif.]

California Birth Index (Wilbert Richard Werder, born May 25, 1925, in L.A. Co., mother's maiden name was Caldwell)

California Death Index (Wilbert Richard Werder, born May 25, 1925, in Calif., died October 16, 1949, in San Bernardino, mother's maiden name was Caldwell)

California Voter Registrations, 1948 (Wilbert R. Werder, 362 No. Reno St., Los Angeles, CA)

1930 U.S. Census (Wilbert Werder, age 5, South Pasadena, son of Oscar J. and Dorathy Werder)

Photos